PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Muharram 15, 1433, Dec 10, 2011, SPA - The Pakistani Taliban is in peace talks with the Pakistani government, a senior commander in the group said Saturday. He said negotiations were "progressing well" and could soon end in a formal agreement. The statement by Maulvi Faqir Mohammad is the first time a named Taliban commander has confirmed that the group is negotiating with the Pakistani government. Mohammad, said to be the deputy chief of the Pakistani Taliban, said his men had held "peace talks with relevant government officials." "They are progressing well, and we may soon sign a formal peace agreement with the government," he said in a telephone conversation. Government officials were not available for comment, according to a report of the Associated Press. --SPA 15:31 LOCAL TIME 12:31 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/951042